Learn how to choose, use and care for essential camping and outdoor tools and equipment, including axes, knives, rope saws, maintenance and tool safety.
Activity Overview Difficulty: AdvancedTime: 30–60 minutesLocation: Suitable outdoor woodcraft or campfire areaBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Axe safety, woodcraft, fire preparation, tool control, concentration Quick Answer Splitting firewood means using a suitable hand axe to divide small pieces of prepared wood into smaller sections for…
Activity Overview Difficulty: AdvancedTime: 45–60 minutesLocation: Indoors for demonstration or a suitable outdoor activity areaBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Fire-lighting principles, air compression, observation, experimentation, fire safety A fire piston produces heat by rapidly compressing air inside a small cylinder. The compression causes the air…
Activity Overview Difficulty: IntermediateTime: 30–45 minutesLocation: Designated outdoor woodcraft areaBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Tool safety, woodcraft, cutting techniques, concentration, risk management A saw should be used in a clear, controlled area with the timber securely supported. Check the saw before use, keep your free…
Activity Overview Difficulty: AdvancedTime: 30–60 minutesLocation: Designated axe area or suitable outdoor training areaBest for: Scouts and Explorers, with appropriate adult supervisionSkills: Tool safety, woodcraft, cutting techniques, risk management, concentration A hatchet should only be used in a controlled area with suitable supervision, a stable…
Activity Overview Difficulty: ModerateTime: 20–30 minutes to learn the basics; applied throughout a pioneering projectLocation: Scout campsites and suitable outdoor activity areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Risk awareness, ropework, lashings, teamwork, equipment care and safe construction Pioneering safety is about…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 15–30 minutesLocation: Scout campsites, activity centres and outdoor settingsBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders and adult leadersSkills: Ropework, campcraft, equipment care, observation and outdoor safety Rope identification means being able to recognise what a rope is made from, how it…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 15–30 minutes for routine care; several hours for thorough dryingLocation: Home, campsite or suitable dry areaBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Equipment care, cleaning, drying, storage and camping maintenance Good sleeping bag care is mainly about…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 15–30 minutes to learnLocation: Home, outdoor shop or before a camping tripBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Equipment selection, weather awareness, camping preparation and outdoor planning Choose a sleeping bag based on the temperatures you’re likely…
Activity Overview Difficulty: Easy–ModerateTime: 15–30 minutes for a temporary repairLocation: Campsite or homeBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Tent pitching, equipment repair, problem-solving and outdoor maintenance A broken tent pole can often be given a temporary repair using a tent-pole…
Activity Overview Difficulty: Easy–ModerateTime: 15–60 minutes depending on the repairLocation: Home, campsite or suitable outdoor areaBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Tent maintenance, repairs, sewing, problem-solving and equipment care Many minor tent problems can be repaired using a suitable tent…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 15–20 minutes to learn; ongoing during campingLocation: Campsites, woodland, hills and other outdoor camping areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Tent pitching, knots, tensioning, campsite organisation and weather awareness Tent guy lines are cords attached to…
Activity Overview Difficulty: EasyTime: 10–15 minutes to learn; ongoing during campLocation: Campsites, woodland, hills and other outdoor camping areasBest for: Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Patrol Leaders, campers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Tent pitching, campsite management, weather awareness and outdoor problem-solving Tent condensation happens when moisture in the…
